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Research Article Open access CC BY 4.0

Perception and Practice of Nonmedical Use of Opioids among Young People in Ibadan, Nigeria

Olurogba John Badewo, Musibau Ayoade Titiloye

Journal of Education, Society and Behavioural Science · pp. 93–101 · Published 13 Oct 2023

10.9734/jesbs/2023/v36i101271

Abstract

Background: The opioid crisis is a growing public health concern globally. This study investigated the opioid use among young people in Nigeria. Method: A cross-sectional design was employed using self-administered questionnaire adapted from the WHO student drug-use survey tool. A four-stage sampling technique was used to select the respondents. The data were analyzed with SPSS version 20. Results: The respondents’ mean age was 21.1±2.7 years. There were more male (57.3%) respondents. About 56.5% of the respondents had a poor perception of opioid use. The lifetime prevalence of codeine syrups, dihydrocodeine, Co-codamol, and tramadol use was 14.4%, 13.5%, 13.0%, and 11.4%, respectively, while the past-year was 13.6%, 10.0%, 12.7%, and 10.0%, respectively, and the past-month 12.5%, 13.0%, 12.2%, and 9.4%, respectively. Most of the respondents involved in opioid use were introduced to it by friends/peers (codeine [42.5%]; tramadol [56.1%]). The age of onset of opioid use was 15–19 years (codeine) and > 20 years (tramadol). Perception of opioid abuse was significantly associated with nonmedical use of opioids. Conclusion: The respondents’ perception of opioid use was significant with lifetime, past-year, and past-month nonmedical use of opioids; hence, public enlightenment is needed as a strategy to curb the menace of the opioid crisis among young people.

Opioids nonmedical use drug abuse codeine tramadol

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